Tropical storm leaves 17 dead in northern Vietnam

Tropical storm leaves 17 dead in northern Vietnam

2011-06-27 22:12:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

HANOI, VIETNAM (BNO NEWS) -- At least 17 people have been killed by whirlwinds, lightning and floods since last Thursday, when the tropical storm Haima swept through Vietnam's northern and central northern provinces.

The Voice of Vietnam News reported that seven people were killed, including five who were struck by lightning and two others who were caught by the whirlwind, in the northern coastal port city of Hai Phong. The disaster also destroyed several road sections and damaged over 850 homes. 

In the central city of Nghe An, a thunderstorm sank six fishing vessels and one cargo ship, drowning three children and leaving one person missing. Torrential rains also affected the northern mountain province of Yen Bai, where flash floods claimed the lives of four people.

In Nam Dinh province, the storm left two people dead and destroyed 17 houses. A woman in Thanh Hoa province was struck dead by lightning during the thunderstorm on the evening of June 23.

On Friday, Vietnam National Flood and Storm Control Committee sent a telegram to people's committees and steering committees in the northern and north central provinces, asking them to implement measures to ensure the safety of flood-affected people, irrigation works and water reservoirs.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-27